Calibri is a sans-serif typeface widely used in printed and digital documents. The word refers to the font family itself rather than a person or place, and is typically pronounced as a proper noun in reference to the typeface. In practice, it’s used in English-language typography discussions and UI design contexts. Its pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, with emphasis on the second syllable.
"I set the document in Calibri to give it a clean, modern look."
"The Calibri family is my go-to font for professional reports."
"We switched from Arial to Calibri for the slide deck."
"Calibri is included by default on many Windows systems."
Calibri originated as a modern sans-serif typeface designed by Lucas de Groot and released by Microsoft in 2007 as part of the ClearType Font Collection. The name Calibri is derived from the Latin word calibri, meaning “beautifully engraved” or “clean and polished,” reflecting its intended appeal as a versatile, legible font for body text and user interfaces. The design process emphasized readability on screens and at small sizes, combining humanist influences with contemporary geometric shapes. Calibri’s first widely visible use occurred with Microsoft Office 2007, where it became the default font, replacing Times New Roman for body text. Since then, Calibri has grown into a ubiquitous, cross-platform typeface adopted in many software environments, and it remains an emblem of late-2000s digital typography. Over time, it has become a standard reference in typography discussions about legibility, sans-serif design, and the evolution of on-screen typography. Its legacy continues in updated variants and in discussions about UI font choices in modern operating systems.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Calibri" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Calibri"
-ily sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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Cal-uh-ree is pronounced with the stress on the second syllable: /kəˈlɜːri/ (US/UK/AU). Start with a soft, unstressed 'ca' as in 'comma', then a stressed 'li' sounding like 'lure' without the 'r' vowel quality, and finish with a clear '-ri' as in 'wire' without a strong 'r' color. Listen for the second-syllable emphasis and a short 'uh' vowel in the first syllable. Audio can be cross-checked on pronunciation tools using /kəˈlɜːri/.
Common mistakes include stressing the first syllable: /ˈkælɪˌbraɪ/ or misplacing the vowel in the second syllable, pronouncing it like 'cal-ih-BREE' or 'kal-uh-REE'. Correct approach keeps the stress on the second syllable with /kəˈlɜːri/, minimize overt r-coloring in non-rhotic accents, and avoid delaying the 'ri' ending. Practice by isolating the second syllable and blending the 'li' and 'ri' transitions smoothly.
In US and UK accents, Calibri is /kəˈlɜːri/, with a schwa in the first syllable and a rhotacized 'er' vowel in the second. Australian pronunciation mirrors this but may feature a slightly shorter or less rounded final 'ri'. The key difference is vowel length and rhoticity, but Calibri remains unstressed in the first syllable and strongly stressed on the middle syllable in most varieties.
The difficulty lies in the second syllable’s vowel quality and the blending of the final 'ri' into a smooth, unstressed sequence. English speakers often misplace the stress or substitute an /iː/ or /ɪ/ vowel instead of a mid central /ɜː/ or rounded /ɜː/. Practice by isolating /kəˈlɜːri/ and linking the 'li' and 'ri' segments with a light, quick transition.
A unique aspect is the unstressed initial syllable with a reduced vowel and a clear, mid-front vowel in the stressed second syllable. Maintain a slight openness in the /ɜː/ vowel and avoid adding extra color to the final /ri/. The glide between /l/ and /ɜː/ should be smooth, not separated. This subtle slope helps distinguish Calibri from visually similar fonts in fast speech.
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